Profile of Fear: Book Four of the Profile Series (Volume 4) (8 page)

What was it about this toddler that had wrapped around his heart and squeezed every ounce of paternal instinct he had? Was it because he’d never encountered a child who was more in need of a break? Maybe. He didn’t want to think about what her reality must have been like living with a meth-addicted mother in a house where methamphetamine was cooked and sold, and a small child was just in the way. Was it two years in hell, with no one to protect her, or look out for her safety? Undoubtedly.

He’d seen the bruising on her ribs and wrists. He clenched his fists in anger as he thought about what he’d like to do to whoever put them there. Who in the hell hits a two-year-old? Did Donda do it? It wouldn’t be the first time a mother lost it and took it out on her kid. Did Willie abuse Becca? Did he resent her because she belonged to another man? Was the toddler getting in the way of his drug business? Whoever hurt Becca would pay, along with the person who let it happen and turned the other way. He’d make sure of it.

His thoughts were disrupted by the appearance of a woman at the nurses’ station who was asking about Becca. Aiming his laser-focus on her, he wondered who she was and why she was asking about the little girl. The woman was so thin, her thick cardigan sweater hung off her shoulders. She looked like a poster child for anorexia, with too little food or sleep. Her sharp facial features gave her a bird-like look, and she didn’t wear a speck of makeup to cover the ugly bruise and cut on her lower lip.

Though the woman was talking directly to one of the nurses, she never looked her in the eye. Her eyes were always focused above the nurse’s head or to the side. When Cameron heard her use the words ‘social worker,’ he hurried to the nurses’ station.

He didn’t hesitate to interrupt. “I couldn’t help but overhear you asking about Becca Hicks.”

Startled, the woman stepped back to put some space between them. “May I ask who you are? I was told that Becca Hicks has no relatives.”

He pulled out his badge. “I’m Cameron Chase. I’m the sergeant in charge of major crimes for the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office.” Cameron thrust out his hand to shake hers, but she glanced at his hand and kept her own protectively pressed against her tote bag, filled with file folders, to her chest.

Tapping the plastic work identification badge pinned to her collar with her finger, she said. “I’m Melanie Barrett. I work with CPS, Child Protective Services.” Her eyes narrowed. “Your last name is Chase? Are you related to Sheriff Brody Chase?”

“Yes, ma’am. He’s my brother.”

A spark of temper flicked in her eyes. “Well then, you’re just the person I need to speak with. Shall we have our conversation here, or in a more private place?”

Obviously eavesdropping, the nurse said, “There’s no one in the conference room down the hall. I can reserve it for you.”

“You do that.” Melanie swung her gaze back to Cameron. “Follow me.”

Chapter Thirteen

Cameron had a good idea why he was about to get a tongue-lashing, and followed closely behind Melanie Barrett until they came to a small conference room. Trailing her inside, he paused as she pulled out a chair to sit at the head of the table, and then eased himself into a chair to her left.

“Since you’re a sergeant, you can tell me who was in charge of the methamphetamine police raid of the house where two-year-old Becca Hicks was found.” She lay the worn tote bag on the floor, put her elbows on the table, pushed her glasses back to the bridge of her nose, and looked at him with contempt.

Cameron cleared his throat. “That would be me. I was in charge of the raid.”

“Then maybe you can tell me why Child Protective Services was not contacted to remove a two-year-old child from the home prior to the raid?”

“I’m sorry about that. Neither our informant nor our undercover detective said anything about a child living in the home. She must not have been at the house when either man made a visit. I’m not happy this happened either, and I guarantee it won’t happen again.”

That seemed to appease her somewhat, but clearly she wasn’t finished. “It
can’t
happen again. Understand? Do you realize what can happen to a child who is exposed to meth?”

Seriously? He was in law enforcement in Indiana where meth labs were popping up faster than morel mushrooms in the spring. What kind of an idiot did she think he was? Now she wasn’t the only one who was steamed. But he knew he had to tread carefully with her. She would be the one to place Becca, and he wanted to make sure she went to a good foster home. “This wasn’t my first rodeo. Of course I know the chemicals used to manufacture meth pose serious dangers to children.”

She shrugged her shoulders as if she didn’t believe him. “I’m willing to bet that what you know about meth exposure is from seminars and articles in your cop magazines. You’ve never had to rush a three-year-old to the hospital because his parents made a habit of putting meth in his drinks for fun. I’d wager you never had to hold a first grader’s hand while he died because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time when his father’s meth lab exploded.” A tear ran unchecked down her face.

Cameron squeezed her hand and watched her try to compose herself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be insensitive. It sounds like you’ve witnessed first-hand the damage the drug can do.”

“I didn’t mean to go off like that. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“Yours can’t be an easy job. I realize that.”

She pulled a tissue out of her tote bag and blew her nose.

Cameron took the opportunity to change the subject. “Let’s talk about Becca and where you’ll place her.”

“You mean
if
I can place her.”

His brows creased as he gave her a long, searching look. “I don’t understand. She
can’t
stay here in the hospital.”

“Shawnee County doesn’t even have half the number of foster homes that the system needs. I don’t know if I can find a foster family for a two-year-old.”

“Then what happens to Becca?”

“If I’m lucky I’ll find a group home that will take her. I have to tell you, a foster home already filled with teenagers is no place for a toddler. But I don’t know what else I can do if I can’t find foster parents for her.”

Cameron pushed back in his chair, took a deep breath, and thought of how Becca had clung to him for safety. She was so young and had no good reason to trust anyone, but she had trusted him. He remembered how Becca had screamed his name, begging him not to leave her, when he was pushed out of her examining room. She counted on him, and by God he was going to man up and be the one who helped her, no matter what he had to do. She’d never been able to count on anyone for her safety and well-being. That was about to change.

“I want to be a foster parent to Becca. I can provide her an excellent home. Just tell me what I need to do.”

Surprised, the social worker looked at him as if he’d sprouted antlers from the top of his head. “
You
want to be a foster parent?”

“Yes. You seem surprised.”

“It’s just that… I mean you don’t look like the kind of man who would want to give up his lifestyle for all the responsibility that caring for a toddler entails.

“Exactly what kind of a lifestyle do you think I have?”

Melanie began to stutter. “I m-m-mean… You’re very good-looking. I imagine you have better ways to spend your time.” Her cheeks flushed pink.

Okay, now he was offended. What the hell? She was going to judge his potential as a parent solely on his looks? “You’d be making a big mistake assuming things about me based on my looks. Why don’t you ask me the kind of questions you usually ask people, attractive or not, who volunteer to foster a child?”

Nervously pushing her glasses back up to the bridge of her nose, her face now blushed crimson. “I apologize. You’re right. Why do you want to be a foster parent to Becca Hicks?”

Cameron considered the question thoughtfully. Hell, until minutes ago, he’d never considered being a parent to anyone. “I grew up in a good home brought up by a single mother who was an amazing role model. If I can be half the parent my mom was, Becca will be in very good hands.”

Melanie only nodded. “Why Becca Hicks?”

It’s a good thing Brody wasn’t in the room because he’d give his little speech about Cam wanting to save the world. “Becca has lived with her meth-addicted, sorry excuse for a mother for the first two years of her life. She’s a toddler who has had no one to protect her from harm, or take care of her physical and emotional needs. It’s time the kid caught a break. If you appoint me as her foster parent, I intend to change all that. I’ll give her all the love and attention a kid could want, along with the kind of home where she’ll thrive.”

There was a hint of a grin at the edge of the social worker’s mouth. “I see. Tell me about where you live, where you could provide a home for a toddler to thrive.”

“I live on 162 acres of land that my parents left to my two brothers and me. The property is like a nature preserve with woods, hills, valleys, two lakes, and miles of running trails, with absolute privacy. It’s the perfect place for a kid. My dad built the main house with the idea it could be turned into a bed and breakfast or a nature lodge when he and mom retired. There are five bedroom suites within the main house. My younger brother, Gabe, his fiancée Kaitlyn, and I live in the main house, along with a chocolate Labrador retriever named Godiva. My suite is downstairs and has a bedroom, a living room, kitchenette, and two bathrooms. The main house also has a huge family area, kitchen, and dining room, with an outside living area.”

“Are you able to child-proof the living areas?”

“Absolutely.” Cameron made a mental note to research how to child-proof a home.

“Does Sheriff Chase also live on the property?”

“Yes. Brody and his wife, Carly, live in the house our parents named the “Honeymoon Cottage” that’s located not far from the main house.”

“You should be aware that I need to interview all members of your household. I’ll also need a medical statement from a physician for each of them if you are to be considered as a foster parent.”

“That won’t be a problem.” At least he hoped it wouldn’t be. He needed to talk to his family about this fostering thing sooner than later. What would he do if they decided that adding a toddler to their lives was not such a good idea?

Melanie withdrew a pencil and a yellow legal pad from her tote bag. “I need to know more about the people who will be living on the property with Becca.”

“She doesn’t live on the property, but we have a housekeeper named Mrs. E. who is at the house four hours a day, six days a week. She’s cooked and cleaned for our family for twenty years. Mrs. E. is more of a family member than a housekeeper.” Cameron paused for a second and grinned. “It’s kind of funny. If Collette has asked once, she’s asked a hundred times when my brothers and I were going to give her some kids to care for. Her two boys are grown, but aren’t old enough to give her some grandchildren. If Becca joins our family, Mrs. E. will be ecstatic.”

This time the social worker smiled openly before she jotted down some notes.

Chapter Fourteen

Cameron said something about needing caffeine and left the conference room for the hospital cafeteria. When he returned, he had a large Styrofoam cup filled with hot coffee in each hand. He passed a cup to her, and settled back down in the chair next to her.

Melanie Barrett gazed at Cameron Chase and thought he was the most attractive man she’d ever seen. Not in high school, college, and certainly not on her job in Shawnee County had she ever met a man whose charisma seemed to be leaking from his very pores. With dark hair tapering neatly to his collar, he was devastatingly handsome, like the heroes in the romance books she liked to read. She wondered what it would be like to have him make love to her, and a distinct warmth flowed through her entire body.

What would it be like to have a man like Cameron Chase in her life? Actually, what would it be like to have
any
man in her life? High school was a distant memory when she dated Eddie Reynolds. She’d adored Eddie. But her mother made sure Eddie didn’t come around too often, and then, not at all.

“All men are the same and after one thing,” her mother often spouted, and Melanie got the message loud and clear. “Besides,” her mother said disgustedly, “He just wants to get into your panties. It’s not like he’s attracted to your good looks and smarts. And a pregnant daughter is the last thing I want hanging around my house.”

Was Cameron Chase interested in her? Not likely. That was the stuff of make-believe. Who would want someone like her? And what kind of professional lets her mind wander to such things when considering someone for the responsibility of caring for a child?

He set his coffee on the table and looked at her curiously. Her mind snapped to attention.

“Tell me about the rest of your family, Sgt. Chase.”

Chapter Fifteen

Cameron gulped down the rest of his coffee, and answered another one of Melanie’s questions—this one about his oldest brother.

“You know my brother, Brody. He’s the best man I know. I’d say that even if he weren’t my brother. He sacrificed a lot to raise Gabe and me after our mother died. He’ll make a good dad himself someday.”

“Isn’t your younger brother, Gabe, a private investigator?”

“Yes, Gabe’s a P.I. who owns his own company, and he also does computer forensic consulting for the Sheriff’s Office.”

“How does he interact with children?”

“Brody’s wife, Carly, has a brother, Blake Stone, who lives in Ash Grove in Sycamore County. Blake and his wife have a little boy named Shawn who’s in elementary school and a baby girl named Mylee. Whenever they visit, Shawn uses Gabe as a human jungle gym and Mylee cries for Brody to hold her. In my opinion, Uncle Gabe and Uncle Brody are a hit with the kids.”

“Now tell me about the women who would interact with Becca. What are they like?”

“Brody’s wife, Carly, is a former FBI agent and now works out of their home consulting as a criminal profiler. She’s crazy about Shawn and Mylee and often has them for sleepovers. They usually order pizza and watch a movie that the kids choose.”